4 stroke operation at ~40 degree heel angle

[fastacker]

Sorry about repeating this post , but I put it under the repair section before which probably was not the right place. (I'm new to posting on this board) <br /><br />Does anyone know if the lubrication will be OK on 4 stroke 50 hp motors if the motors are mounted on sailboats that heel at 30-40 degree angles? <br /><br />This is regarding use on a newer type of motor-sailor sailboat (Macgregor 26X and M). About half of the users are probably using the 4 strokes and the other half (me incuded) are using 2 strokes. <br /><br />Thanks a lot for any advice.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: 4 stroke operation at ~40 degree heel angle

I am not a sailor, but I would imagine that the only time the boat is heeling is while under sail. No oil should leak out, and by the time the motor would be deployed I would imagine the boat would no longer be at any great angle since the sail would no longer be up. I see Honda 4 strokes on a lot of the sailboats on my lake, it should be fine.

 

[fastacker]

Re: 4 stroke operation at ~40 degree heel angle

Thanks,<br /> <br />I guess I was more concerned about whether the motor's oil pump would stay primed with oil when the boat was heeled or if there was a critical angle of heel, beyond which the oil pump would suck air and the motor would lose lubrication. I didn't figure they would leak. <br /><br />There are times when it is useful to have the motor running in idle just as a backup even when sailing, like when sailing in a tight area with hazards located downwind such that a missed tack might put you on the rocks or something. <br /><br />I should have worded my first post a bit better <br /><br />Lots of Macgregor 26X owners have been using the 4 stroke 50 hp Hondas, Suzukis and Yamahas. Just wondering if there was a heel limit that they should be aware of or not. And if so whether the first indication is a siezed engine or an alarm or automatic safety shutdown. Probably not a big deal since they have been using them for a few years now. I was just curious since we are always discussing motor options on the Macgegor site.

 

[fastacker]

Re: 4 stroke operation at ~40 degree heel angle

All the gurus must be out on the water or else my question was poorly put. <br /><br />Any idea about how far a 50 hp 4 stroke motor can be leaned to the side before the oil pump loses prime? <br />Specifically for recent model Hondas, Yamahas and Suzukis. 30 degrees? 40 degrees? <br /><br />Our motor sailers are a new use for this large an outboard sailboat auxiliary motor and was curious if there was anthing special needed to let the motor handle operating when heeled over. <br /><br />My motor is fine being a 2 stroke Tohatsu, but a lot of the guys on our sailing oard have the 4 strokes. Any opinions are appreciated. <br /><br />Tanks

 

[JasonJ]

Re: 4 stroke operation at ~40 degree heel angle

This is pure speculation, but I think it would be fine. When the motor was designed, they had to account for the fact that boats bank in turns, some bank very hard. Of course, centrifugal force would be greater in a powerboat verses a sailboat. Maybe you can contact Honda or a marina that sells Hondas to know for sure.

 

[kd6nem]

Re: 4 stroke operation at ~40 degree heel angle

fastacker, <br />You pose an excellent question. I think most of us on this board have never thought of this since few sail. Few of use see that much roll or pitch angle, certainly never sustained. I love sailing, but have never done it on anything large enough to have a motor, nevermind 50 HP! I'd ask manufacturer's tech support. Let us know what you find!

 

[fastacker]

Re: 4 stroke operation at ~40 degree heel angle

Thanks guys, <br /><br />Even on this sailboat we would only be spending a small part of the time sailing heeled hard and with the motor running. But those few times the motor would be very important, since it would be providing insurance if you will against missing a tack in strong winds and restricted manuevering quarters. <br /><br />I took a quick look at Honda's website but could not find a place to ask tech questions. Probably there somewhere and I just missed finding it. I was mainly just trying to follow up on a question that I posed on our sailing website, but since I don't have or contemplate getting a 4 stroke on mine, will probably stop investigating. <br /><br />I like my 2 stroke Tohatsu (except for the high fuel usage and sort of rough performance at slow speeds) and my next motor will likely be one of their high tech 2 strokes, since they seem to offer the best of both worlds (if they really do everything advertized). Light, clean, efficient, reliable, etc. Other than not being as quiet as a 4 stroke they would seem to be the ideal choice for me. <br /><br />I hadn't thought about power boats heeling into turns, but like you say, the g's you pull in the turn would tend to keep the oil at the bottom of the sump even when heeled. We don't pull any g's when sailing. (Except maybe "Geees look at that sunset", or Geees could that cigarette boat make any more noise?)